Real Estate

Checklist for open house

Before throwing your doors open to potential buyers, use this checklist:

- De-clutter. This can't be overemphasized. A cluttered home is a turnoff to most buyers. It's also potentially dangerous: you don't want people injured as they navigate through the clutter. And don't stuff everything into cabinets and closets -- people will be looking there to assess storage capacity. Either get rid of it or store it offsite.

- Clean up. Not just everyday cleaning like dusting, sweeping and scrubbing the bathtub. Think deep clean: carpets should be steam cleaned, drapes washed/dry cleaned, upholstery vacuumed and shampooed, if necessary. Attend to often-ignored areas -- top of the fridge, cobwebbed corners, cabinet interiors and the oven. The bathroom and kitchen should be spotless. A maid service is a worthy investment in getting the best offer for your house.

- Get a checkup. Consider having a pre-listing home inspection report prepared. Potential buyers can examine it, noting repairs you've made since and easing their mind about the property.

- Revive & repair. A fresh coat of light, neutral paint is practically obligatory. If you have decent hardwood under grungy or outdated carpet, trash the carpet and refinish the floors. Take care of scuffed woodwork, ripped wallpaper, water damage and exposed wiring. Half-finished home improvement projects deter buyers; complete any such projects, if possible.

- Enhance curb appeal. Most buyers form conclusions about a property from the curb. Cast the same critical eye on your home's exterior. Does the roof need repair? Are the gutters overflowing with debris? Does the front lawn look like a missile site? Does the driveway need sealing? Make any necessary improvements. Try buying a new doormat and decorate with some container plants.

- Lawn and order. If you haven't paid attention to landscaping; it's too late to start planting trees. Prune, trim and weed whatever you have. Consider having a professional landscape plan done, which may help buyers envision potential for the home. Don't forget interior landscaping: if you have no healthy house plants, buy a few attractive specimens and locate them strategically around the house. Dump any dead or dying plants.

- Depersonalize. Put away family photos, children's artwork, trophies, pet toys, etc., to help buyers imagine themselves in your home. Clear all the junk off the fridge; the kitchen will look bigger and cleaner.

- The sniff test. To check for off-putting odours that can cost you a sale, ask your real estate agent (or a trusted friend or neighbour) to help identify bad smells in your home. Common culprits include smoking, laundry, bathroom mould and mildew, garbage cans, musty basement, cooking smells, litter boxes and other pet paraphernalia.

Don't attempt to cover bad smells with deodorizers and air fresheners -- address the problem.

- Light up your life. Check that every fixture in the house has a working light bulb of the maximum safe wattage. Clean all the windows so buyers can appreciate the brightness of the rooms.

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